About Kidney Donation

When the kidneys can't do their job, AND FAIL, ONE NEEDS EITHER DIALYSIS AND OR A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT TO CONTINUE TO LIVE. A Kidney transplant is a live saving option and frankly, the best option  in most chronic cases, if person is healthy. 

Absolutely, and in fact, some are only born with a single kidney and will live a normal life in most cases.  This is the reason why its ok to donate a kidney , We do not want 2 patients at the end of this process, so every effort is taken to screen potential donors to avoid any potential issues in the future. We only let healthy with great kidney function become a donor.

First step done, you are reading and learning about what is needed and the requirements to donate.  Continue to seek out information, and put together questions if there are somethings you dont understand. Next, speaking directly with the transplant center coordinator can provide additional information, especially on center specific requirements.  This is done after you contacted someone to let them know your interested in becoming a donor- HERO.  We can help get you to the right person if you contact us directly. 

Consider this initial visit to be like a visit to your NEW primary care physician, who has no prior records,  During your appointment, you will be asked a lot questions, and sometimes same question multiple times.  To start , you will need to provide a detailed account of your past medical history,  your family medical history, including deceased members,  Social activities including drug and alcohol usage , the type of work you do currently,  your current finical situation, living arrangements and any other pertinent information. Likely they will withdrawal several small vials of blood and a urine sample to send for testing. The testing done will ensure the transplant team that you will be a good candidate and not need a kidney yourself in the future.  BE PREPARED TO SPEND SEVERAL HOURS AT THE TRANSPLANT CENTER TO GET ALL THIS ACCOMPLISHED. After all the initial evaluations are complete, you will be then contacted by phone to go over the next steps and whether you are or are not a good candidate to donate a kidney at this time.  If you are a good candidate , and pass the initial evaluation, a more comprehensive evaluation is done at the next visit, with a deeper dive into psychological, ordering imaging, such as Xrays and CT scans ,  additional blood and urine test and meeting the members of the transplant team. 

If you at any point you decide donating one of your kidneys isnt what you want to do or you are being pressured by a family member or friend to be worked up to see if your a match,  please just speak up and let the transplant team know this information. Everything you say is confidential , so it will not get back to the person needing a kidney that you changed your mind, instead the transplant team will notify that person you are n t a good candidate for being a donor at this time. 

Blood type isnt a deal breaker anymore, being we have the SWAP program at most transplant centers.